GOLDEN RULE: If you have a 3G iPhone and want potential soft unlock in the near future do NOT use QuickPwn, and do not use the official ipsw or the iTunes update process without using PwnageTool.
Read item 1 again and again.
At the bottom of this post are the bit******* files for the latest versions of PwnageTool and QuickPwn.
These are suitable for the recent 2.2 release.
Please read all parts of this post before downloading and using these tools.
The ‘late 2008’ MacBook/air/pro line of computers have an issue with DFU mode, it is possible to go from Pwned 2.1 -> 2.2 but going from stock to Pwned does not work, if in any doubt use a different machine.
Choosing the correct tool is crucial. Be warned!

Baseband 101

The ‘baseband’ is the generic name given to the internal components of the iPhone that handle the phone calls and Internet access. This ‘baseband’ is a tiny and unique independent computer system that runs inside your iPhone, it is separate to the main system that handles the applications (such as email and google maps) and it talks to the main part of the phone over an internal communications network. Think of it like a cable modem or other peripheral that is attached to your home PC that needs occasional updates. When a software update is released and presented to you within iTunes the baseband is sometimes updated (to fix bugs or add new features). The 2.2 update for the iPhone 3G contains such an update, so running the vanilla updater straight away with iTunes will reprogram and update the baseband. This could be bad for certain people, depending on your ultimate aim.

SIM Free/SP Unlocked/Factory Unlocked iPhone 3G

This applies if you bought your iPhone 3G for $$$$$$$. This model of iPhone 3G doesn’t have an Service Provider lock (aka factory unlocked) and you are able to put any SIM card into the phone and get service. Your phone is already unlocked so you do not need to worry about baseband updates, simply upgrade to 2.2 using iTunes and then use QuickPwn to Pwn and Jailbreak. This will add Cydia and Installer too.

Locked iPhone 3G - Preserve Baseband

This applies if you have a locked iPhone 3G and you wish to update to 2.2 but preserve the iPhone’s current baseband software. Preserving the baseband will give you the maximum chance for any upcoming software unlock. To upgrade your phone to 2.2 and preserve the state of the baseband you need to create a custom .ipsw with PwnageTool. This custom .ipsw will not contain the baseband update but of course will still allow all the cool new stuff from 2.2.

There are plenty of tutorials about this process on the web, but PwnageTool contains intuitive graphics and easy to follow prompts that should have you up and running in no time at all.

Locked iPhone 3G

If you are using your iPhone with one carrier and have no interest in the possibility of an iPhone 3G unlock in the near future then just restore or upgrade to 2.2 using iTunes and use QuickPwn to Jailbreak and add Cydia and Installer.

Locked iPhone 2G (1st Generation)

Restore your iPhone 2G with iTunes then run QuickPwn to do the magic, ‘nuff said.

The following links are unofficial download mirrors, you download these at your own risk, we accept no responsibility if your computer explodes or if it becomes part of a NASA attacking botnet or even worse if your hands fall off mid-way during the use of these archives. Always check the published SHA1 sums. We would prefer that you downloaded the official bit******* release that is linked above, but you are welcome to try these if you really must. Mirror owners should email direct links only to blog@iphone-dev.org , please don’t place mirrors in the comments as they will be deleted.

Yeah, I saw 2 threads announcing the release, but none were formatted to be front page stuff. So I took the official quotes and made the first thread after the two with what the iPhone dev said. You see, you cannot just say "2.2 Released! DOWNLOAD NOW!", you have to put what the Dev team said...

Anyway, this is good stuff. But the iPhone dev team has not picked up on the iPod touch 2G front so...

Yeah, I saw 2 threads announcing the release, but none were formatted to be front page stuff. So I took the official quotes and made the first thread after the two with what the iPhone dev said. You see, you cannot just say "2.2 Released! DOWNLOAD NOW!", you have to put what the Dev team said...

Anyway, this is good stuff. But the iPhone dev team has not picked up on the iPod touch 2G front so...

A shrug and a yawn is all that is needed. I mean at least if he made the front page can't he put what the dev team said or something. Even Ezra's thread was better than mine and it did not get frontpaged...

Well whatever, better luck next time I guess. I had like 3 frontpage articles anyway before.